THIGHS THE LIMIT
Goal hero Stones dedicates semi win to Bell
SURPRISE goalscorer John Stones and Pep Guardiola dedicated their victory in the Manchester derby to the late Colin Bell as they stayed on course to lift the Carabao Cup for the fourth year in a row. City beat
neighbours United 2-0 in the semi-final at Old Trafford to set up a Wembley date with Tottenham on April 25. It came a day after City legend Bell died at the age of 74, and the team wore retro No 8 shirts in honour of one of the club’s greatest ever players. ‘How we played in this match was a reflection of him,’ said Stones. ‘I’m sure he was looking down on us.’ Manager Guardiola, who also wore a T-shirt in tribute to Bell, said: ‘We played for him and his family. This person helps to build something special and that is the club we have — to beat United away is for you. It was a sad day for all the Manchester City family. Colin Bell has a stand (named after him) at the Etihad because he was something special. ‘Today it was remarkable what we achieved but we dedicate the victory to Colin Bell and his family, and the Manchester City fans who miss him a lot. ‘We have to play and defend legacies like Colin Bell and Mike Summerbee, which helped us to create this incredible club. ‘Colin is a big loss. It’s sad news but we can continue and be incredibly proud of what these guys years ago created. ‘We don’t have as many trophies in the cabinet compared to some teams in England and Europe, but Colin Bell creates this feeling. So it is fantastic to go against rivals United at Old Trafford and play incredible football and win and go to Wembley again.’ Summerbee, who won City’s first League Cup alongside Bell in 1970, wept in the Old Trafford stands during a minute’s silence for his old team-mate just before kick-off. He saw defender Stones score his first goal in more than three years and Fernandinho (below) his first in more than two years as City struck twice in the second half for a deserved win. Stones said of his goal: ‘It was a great moment. It is another final for us, another great occasion and a derby we’ve won against a top team, so we are thoroughly pleased.’ Guardiola paid tribute to Stones, who has resurrected his career at the Etihad after it looked as though he would leave the club. ‘All credit to him,’ said the City boss. ‘Football is a long career and you always have ups and downs. He struggled longer than we expected and he expected, but his comeback is absolutely down to him. ‘We can say whatever we want to help him but hopefully he can continue in this way. He came back and made another outstanding performance.’ Defeat for United means they have lost four semi-finals in a year under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, having gone out of the Carabao Cup to City at the same stage last season. ‘It’s not a mental thing but we need to be better, that’s the answer,’ said Solskjaer. ‘I think it’s some practice, some habits, some desire at times. ‘Sometimes you meet good teams in the semis and at the moment City are probably the best team in England. ‘When they play well, you have to play very well to beat them, and we were lacking that little bit. When you concede two simple set-plays, it’s disappointing.’